Date: 22 July 2026
Venue: Windsor Castle Hotel, Salem
Time: 10 am - 2 pm
Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG), Chennai, in collaboration with the Consumer Rights Movement, Salem, organised a road safety conference in Salem with all relevant stakeholders on the need for a comprehensive State Road Safety Action Plan, at Windsor Castle Hotel, Salem. The conference was convened in response to the continuing burden of road crashes in India and Tamil Nadu and to highlight the importance of translating a state-level action plan into district-level implementation.
India has witnessed a steady increase in road crash fatalities over the past two decades, with fatalities increasing by 2.5% in 2024 compared to 2023. Tamil Nadu has recorded the highest number of road crashes in the country for seven consecutive years, reporting 18,449 road crash fatalities in 2024. Salem district alone recorded 3,199 road crashes and 797 fatalities in 2023. While Tamil Nadu adopted a Road Safety Policy in 2007, ahead of the National Road Safety Policy, participants noted the need for an updated and structured State Road Safety Action Plan to support the national target of reducing road crash deaths by 50% by 2030.
The workshop commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Boopathi of the Consumer Rights Movement, Salem.
Mr. George Cheriyan, road safety consultant at CAG, highlighted the magnitude of India's road safety challenge, noting that although India accounts for only 1% of the world's vehicles, it contributes to 11% of global road crash deaths.
Divya Arvind, Researcher at CAG, presented the rationale for developing a comprehensive State Road Safety Action Plan that would facilitate coordinated action across departments and enable evidence-based interventions to reduce crashes and fatalities across Tamil Nadu. She also pointed out key issues affecting road safety in Salem that include lack of pedestrian crossings, potholes on the road, dangerous curves on highways, narrow roads, footpath encroachments, and lack of speed-calming measures.
George Cheriyan, Consultant, CAG, speaking about the crash scenario in India and Tamil Nadu
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Mr. Janagiraman, shared the initiatives being undertaken by the Salem Traffic Police to improve road safety. He noted improvements in helmet compliance resulting from sustained awareness and enforcement efforts and described ongoing measures to address wrong-side driving, a common traffic violation in the city. He also highlighted efforts to remove encroachments by vendors from pedestrian-dense footpaths to improve pedestrian safety. Stressing the importance of effective enforcement, he observed that strengthening the system for collecting traffic penalties would improve compliance with road safety regulations.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Mr. Janagiraman described the initiatives taken for road safety in Salem.
Mrs. Kokila, Regional Transport Officer, Salem West, emphasised the need for greater public awareness to improve adherence to road safety rules. She urged parents to ensure that children travel in appropriate child restraint systems and are never seated on an adult's lap or in the front seat of a vehicle. She also expressed concern over children below 18 years of age riding two-wheelers and stressed that this unsafe and illegal practice must be prevented.
Mrs. Kokila, Regional Transport Officer, Salem West emphasised the dangers of allowing underaged and unlicensed teens to drive.
Dr. Vishnu Prashad, Secretary, Salem Medical Association, conducted a demonstration on first aid measures and appropriate post-crash response for road crash victims. He highlighted the critical role of immediate care in improving survival outcomes and expressed the Association's willingness to provide first-aid training to traffic police personnel, who are often the first responders at crash sites.
Dr. Vishnu Prashad, Secretary, Salem Medical Association demonstrated first aid measures to be taken when encountering a crash victim.
Nina S, Senior Researcher, CAG stressed that while all road users must be responsible and wear helmets, use set belts and follow all road rules, infrastructure gaps must be addressed as well. These include speed calming measures, signages indicating speed limits, continuous and encroached footpaths for pedestrians and proper intersections. She reiterated that a State Road Safety Action Plan is an instrument that will synchronise the working of various departments to address these gaps. The Plan will also empower districts to take action and improve road safety at the district level.
Nina S, Senior Researcher, CAG spoke about the need for a robust State Road Safety Action Plan
The workshop brought together representatives from key government departments, enforcement agencies, the health and education sectors, transport authorities, commercial driver associations, civil society organisations, resident welfare associations, and members of the public. Mr. Danraj, President of the Tamil Nadu Lorry Owners' Association, and Mr. Natarajan, President of the Salem Bus Owners' Association, also shared their perspectives on road safety challenges and the role of commercial vehicle operators in improving compliance and safety.
The discussions throughout the workshop underscored that reducing road crashes requires coordinated action across multiple sectors, supported by clear institutional responsibilities, adequate resources, and sustained commitment at both the state and district levels. Participants emphasised that a comprehensive State Road Safety Action Plan would provide a strategic framework for evidence-based interventions, improved interdepartmental coordination, and measurable targets, while enabling districts such as Salem to develop context-specific action plans and contribute meaningfully towards achieving Tamil Nadu's and India's road safety goals.
The District Road Safety Conference in Salem was covered by Thiakaran, Thinaboomi, Malai Malar (print media), Beautiful Salem News & Updates and Just Now Salem (digital media).